BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – Wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich extended his rich vein of form with another half-century as Barbados Pride emerged with the better of exchanges on the opening day of their clash with arch-rivals Trinidad and Tobago Red Force here yesterday.
The right-hander finished the day unbeaten on 83 as Pride closed on 246 for four after they were sent in at Kensington Oval in good batting conditions, in their sixth round contest of the WICB Professional Cricket League.
Dowrich was joined by rookie Roston Chase who was unbeaten on 85, and the pair have so far put on 153 in an impressive unbroken fifth wicket stand.
They partnership was necessary after Barbados Pride slumped to 93 for four after lunch, when captain Kraigg Brathwaite was caught at the wicket for 40.
However, any initiative Red Force had was quickly taken away as Dowrich and Chase took charge for the hosts to steer them to a comfortable position.
Dowrich, who hit a career-best unbeaten 131 against Leeward Islands Hurricanes last week at the same venue, counted nine fours and a six in an innings spanning 170 balls in 3-1/2 hours.
Chase, meanwhile, struck ten fours in a knock that consumed 194 balls in just under 4-1/2 hours at the crease, to gather only his second first class half century.
Barbados, however, were in early trouble when they lost their first three wickets cheaply in the pre-lunch session.
Opener Kyle Corbin made his way safely to 22 off 35 balls with three fours and a six before he had his defence breached by Imran Khan and was bowled at 25 for one inside the first hour.
With just four runs added, Barbados Pride suffered another blow when out-of-favour West Indies batsman Kirk Edwards’ fell without scoring to extend his poor form.
The right-hander pushed forward to the sixth delivery he faced and edged a catch to Evin Lewis at slip, in Imran Khan’s next over.
And Red Force were on top when Shai Hope was deceived and bowled by left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein for 13, to leave Barbados 58 for three.
Brathwaite and Chase then combined in a 35-run stand for the fourth wicket to revive the hosts, and steer them to 70 for three at lunch.
Unbeaten on 29, Test batsman Brathwaite pushed on after the break before becoming the fourth wicket to fall inside the first half hour after lunch, caught behind as he pushed at a rising delivery from fast bowler Shannon Gabriel.
He hit three fours off 106 deliveries in 2-1/2 hours.
Imran Khan has been the best bowler with two for 65.
